Interference at the VA

Good Morning, Breakfastpoppers. Today is Wednesday, February 18, 2015. Our soulful friend, Mantis Manny, is with me this morning at the breakfast table. His concern for the treatment our veterans are receiving at VA hospitals is ongoing. He has asked for the pleasure of your company this morning, because he would like to bring you up to date about this most important matter. Manny will be baking fresh croissants. I will be mixing up a batch of Jamaican coffees for your enjoyment. We look forward to your arrival.

Thank you all for coming here this morning. Let me get right to the point. In August of 2014, the Senate passed the VA Reform Bill. The bill provided $17 billion to deal with the serious problems plaguing the VA. The money was allocated to address long patient waiting lists. Our veterans were left out in the cold and they were not getting the treatment they so deserved. The bill, as written, provided $10 billion to allow veterans who had to deal with unacceptably long waiting periods to seek private medical care. The waiting period was designated too long if an appointment could not be secured within 30 days of calling. The same option was open to veterans who lived more than 40 miles away from a VA hospital. The legislation also required the VA to report to lawmakers exactly how they planned to better their system for scheduling. The bill, as passed, does not provide funding for this requirement. Does anyone imagine that Congress will be getting regular updates? But what about the rest of the bill?

Veterans will be issued "Choice Cards" that are supposed to allow them to see a physician in a private setting. President Obama's budget is attempting to grab the $10 billion set aside for this program. He prefers it to be used in any way the VA top people want to spend it. The train has already come off the tracks and we have only just begun. The fools in the White House have decided to trust the very people at the VA who screwed everything up in the first place. The excuse for this move is hideously explained by VA secretary Robert McDonald. Mr. McDonald believes that if bureaucrats are in charge the "system" will be better served. Is this the same system that failed so miserably? Is this the same system that allowed so many of our nation's heroes to die while waiting for treatment? Clearly, Mr. McDonald is trying to preserve a system that he and others are comfortable with. Keep in mind, it is the same system that failed. He went on to explain that our veterans weren't really that much interested in choice. I am surprised his nose didn't grow 10 feet when he uttered those words. Our veterans will be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Pete Hegseth, CEO of Concerned Veterans for America has reported that veterans are getting the runaround when they call the VA for permission to use the Choice Card. I wish I was surprised, but I am not. Whatever these agencies touch turns to garbage. Congress had better jump on this turn of events quickly. Forget about long investigations. Ask the veterans about the situation and hold those causing this mess accountable. In fact, fire their bureaucratic uncaring, incompetent behinds. We don't have time or patience for this business as usual" mediocrity. Our nation's veterans deserve better treatment and they still aren't getting it. A recent poll found that 88 percent of vets polled felt it was incredibly important to increase their choices. If the VA manages this money, they will manage to put it all in the wrong hands and places. They will use it keep their institution going, not to better it. They're already filling the air with statements and 'VA speak" that make not one drop of sense. I can only assume that those working at the VA are working for themselves and not for the people they are supposed to be serving. Shame on them!

Manny's Song

The momnt I wake up

Before I stretch my wings

I say a little prayer for our vets.

Manny's Song